Reversible Cigarette Holder and Methods for Holding, Lighting and Smoking a Cigarette

ABSTRACT

An improved cigarette holder, embodiments of which comprise a tubular construction with both cigarette holding and mouthpiece features at either or both ends of the tube, one end generally being smaller than the other, the ends in communication with each other through a passageway. Embodiments of the present invention allow the holder to be reversed following smoking of a first portion of the cigarette such that it enables smokers to light partially-smoked cigarettes safely and easily, allows them to smoke more of the sometimes-high-cost smokable material easily, avoid tasting bitterness of a saliva-stained cigarette and share a pleasurable smoke among friends as desired. Embodiments of the present invention also include disclosure of methods for safe, proper and efficient use of embodiments of the device to enhance smoking pleasure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional application of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/115,236, filed on Feb. 12, 2015,

BACKGROUND

The smoking of tobacco and other materials has been common for much ofthe history of civilization. A common approach is to roll or otherwisewrap the smokable material with a thin outer wrapper layer of suitablematerial into a cigar or cigarette, wherein the wrapper is generallyignited and smoked along with the smokable material. The smokablematerial could be tobacco or any other material smoked for pleasurable,recreational or medicinal purposes. While both cigarettes and cigarscontain tobacco or other material the general difference is that in acigar the smokable material is wrapped in a natural leaf of tobacco orother smokable material. But cigarettes contain the smokable materialwrapped in paper, or another material that does not contain a naturalleaf of smokable material. For purposes of brevity in thisspecification, the words cigar and cigarette will be construedinterchangeably. Additionally the outer wrapper could be paper, or manyother materials used to wrap cigars and cigarettes, all of which areincluded by reference herein as equivalent substitutes.

The use of a cigarette holder has been common throughout the ages tofacilitate holding of the cigarette. Many cigarette holders grasp theproximal, unlit, end to allow convenient and safe lighting of the distalend. There are a variety of other reasons for holding the cigarette, forexample as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 150,000 (Dale, 1874). Some smokersdislike the taste of the wrapper which is often bitter, or the feel ofthe wrapper on their lips, especially once it has been partially smokedand saliva from the smoker's mouth combines with it. Some smokers mayhave wet or dirty hands that could degrade a cigarette. Some smokersprefer a hard mouthpiece instead of the soft wrapper. Some holdersprotect the proximal end of the cigarette from damage, for example asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,944 (Banoczi, 1972). Some holderscontain a filter, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,137,303(Shaw, 1964) while others are secured to a filter inherent to thecigarette. Most holders have features for capturing and engaging acigarette in one end of the holder by using various methods of, forexample, funnels, ridges, stepped diameters and the like. The exteriorof the other end of the holder comprises a mouthpiece, which may besimple or elaborate, for allowing the smoker to seal the holder with hislips and smoke the cigarette. The interior of the mouthpiece end issimply a passageway to communicate the smoke from the cigarette to thesmoker.

Cigarette holders of the prior art suffer from numerous shortcomings. Itis noted that many smokers nowadays prefer to make their own cigarettesdue to cost or convenience, and that some smokers are not fullycompetent at doing so. It is noted that many paper wrapper types arethin and fragile, most being much thinner than, for example, writing orprinter paper. The various methods used to apply a wrapping materialaround smokable material in order to form a central channel urginglongitudinal flow of air and smoke therein through a cigarette comprisemeans including rolling, pinching, twisting, raveling, weaving and thelike. For purposes of brevity in this specification all such methodsshall be included herein when reference is made to rolling, as in thephrase rolling a cigarette or rolling a wrapper around the cigarette.

Rolling followed by twisting of the ends of the wrapper of the cigaretteis a common method to make a cigarette. This can induce flaws such asnon-constant, non-circular and non-standard diameter, as well asuntwisting of the ends of the cigarette and the like, allowing smokablematerial to leak out. Many holders do not hold such flawed cigaretteswell. Some holders of the prior art tear the fragile wrapper. Inaddition, when a cigarette such as one which is hand-rolled is held inthe mouth and smoked, the smokers saliva can combine with the cigarette,causing poor taste for the smoker as well as contaminating the smokablematerial.

It is noted that some smokable materials are expensive and it is oftendesirable to smoke nearly the full entirety of the material within thecigarette. As such it is difficult to smoke nearly the full entirety ofa, for example, hand-rolled cigarette because the cigarette becomes muchsmaller as it is smoked thereby becoming much more difficult to hold.Often the smoker will pinch the proximal, i.e. mouth end of thepartially smoked cigarette so that the end is rather flat and smokablematerial will not leak out allowing more of the full entirety of thesmokable material to be smoked. These factors make it difficult to smokea small, partially-smoked cigarette by holding it with the fingers andthe mouth only. Therefore it is often desirable to use a cigaretteholder.

Holders that allow a small-diameter or tapered cigarette to be deeplyinserted into a socket within their body can prevent the cigarette frombeing fully smoked, resulting in undesired waste and expense.Additionally, attempting to smoke the portion of the cigarette inserteddeeply into the holder can cause melting, combustion or degradation ofthe holder itself, contaminating the smoke and possibly exposing thesmoker to poisonous chemical byproducts. Further, due to the stickinessof non-combusted residue derived from smoking the cigarette, thecigarette may easily become stuck inside the holder. Some suchaforementioned holders are made of plastic or rubber or other materialssusceptible to melting, degradation or combustion. Other such holdersare made of ceramic or glass and may be prone to breakage when droppedor suddenly heated due to internal thermal stresses, such as whenlighting a partially-smoked cigarette where the flame is close to theholder.

Some holders are made with an integral pre-configured wrapper so thesmoker inserts the smokable material into the open end of theholder/wrapper intended to be lit. Such holders suffer from problemsincluding fragility of the unfilled wrapper and a size which is largerand less convenient in storage and transit than a pack of, for example,folded wrapping papers. Such holder/wrappers are also more expensivethan the wrappers alone. It is also difficult to make a cigarette of asize other than that for which the pre-made holder/wrapper is intended,should a smoker wish to do so out of choice or necessity. Suchholder/wrappers also suffer from the problem of combustion ordegradation of the holder itself, contaminating the smoke.

Some holders, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,609 (Morris,2002), comprise “alligator-jaw” or “clothespin-like” devices to providea suitable jaw-holding mechanism to secure the cigarette and to providea handhold for easily passing and sharing a smoke between friends. It isnoted that when a cigarette is partially smoked it is sometimes referredto as a “roach” due to its similarity in size, shape and color to acommon household cockroach. Such jaw-holding devices are hence commonlyreferred to as “roach clips”, and while useful to hold a small,partially smoked cigarette to attempt to fully smoke the material thesedevices suffer from additional problems. The jaw can pierce or tear thewrapper of the cigarette, causing air to bypass the smoking material anddilute the smoke or result in extinguishment of the cigarette or toallow it to become disengaged and fall, all of which are generallyunfavorable to the smoker. Also the roach clip precludes any desire toavoid touching the smoker's lips to the cigarette during smoking.

Should the partially smoked cigarette require re-lighting due to beingextinguished after partial smoking, additional problems ensue. It isnoted that generally the most reliable method of lighting or re-lightinga cigarette is to hold a flame at the desired point of combustion,typically the distal end of the cigarette, while simultaneously inhalingthrough it, such that the flame is drawn into the smokable materialalong with air comprising oxygen to combust the material. If thistechnique is used with a roach clip with a small, partially smokedcigarette, the resulting position of the flame can be dangerously closeto the smoker's face, possibly causing burns.

A method in which the smoker tries to light the partially smokedcigarette away from the face and then quickly move it to the mouth forinhaling and combustion is often not successful. These problems arecompounded when the partially smoked cigarette becomes smaller as it isfurther smoked. Additionally, holding the partially smoked cigarettebecomes more problematic as it is further smoked. An unsmoked cigaretteof typical size can be held between the lips while a lighter or match isutilized to light it resulting in a one-handed operation. When thepartially smoked cigarette becomes small due to further smoking it mustbe held in the other hand during lighting, resulting in a two-handedoperation. This requires the smoker to cease whatever activity was beingperformed with the second hand, such as holding a cup of coffee, whichcan be disruptive and inconvenient.

Embodiments of this invention eliminate these and other problems.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to further the art inreference with respect to holding, lighting and smoking a cigaretteincluding a hand-rolled cigarette.

Embodiments of the invention relate to the art of cigarette holding andcigarette lighting and smoking and in particular to holding, lighting,and smoking cigarettes. In particular, embodiments of the inventionrelate to a cigarette comprised of tobacco or another smokable materialcontained within a generally thin wrapper rolled around the smokablematerial. It should be noted that cigarettes of alternativeconstructions may also benefit from aspects of embodiments of thisinvention. Constructions such as the use of a tubular wrapper, amaterial coating around the exterior of the smokable material formingthe wrapper, a smokable material with an inherent wrapper or a smokablematerial with inherent flow channels precluding the use of the wrapper,or their equivalents without limitation, may all benefit from use ofembodiments of this invention. For purposes of brevity in thisspecification, the word wrapper is used to describe any and all of suchconstructions and their equivalents.

In a first embodiment, the invention is a device that comprises anelongated thin-walled tube constructed of flame resistant materialgenerally a couple inches or so long. The tube has two ends whichcommunicate through the central passageway of the tube. Thecharacteristics of each end are different, such that each end is used ina different manner at different times throughout portions of the periodor periods in which the cigarette is lighted and smoked.

A first end may comprise a generally cylindrical opening free of sharpedges, corners or projections with an entrance shaped to accept, receiveand frictionally engage a generally elongated cigarette comprising awrapper with a proximal end which may be tapered in a cone shaped mannerto a small opening through which the material within the cigarette issmoked. The proximal end of the cigarette is inserted into the devicethrough the opening of the first end and pushed into the device untilthe periphery of the opening of the first end extends over the outercircumferential surfaces of the wrapper sufficiently such that thecigarette is secured internally with friction. The inside receivingportion of the device is smooth to avoid tearing or cutting the wrapper.In the case of a hand-rolled cigarette the circumferential wall of theopening of the first end secures the rolled wrapper upon insertion andadditionally keeps it from becoming further unrolled. The predominanceof the cigarette extends out from the first end such that thenon-inserted distal end of the cigarette is exposed and can be lit andthe cigarette smoked.

The surfaces and edges of the outside of the first end may be smooth ortextured such that this end comprises a mouthpiece in subsequent smokingactions.

The second end of the device comprises a generally oval, round,elliptical, or similarly shaped exterior with an opening also generallyoval, round, elliptical, or similarly shaped, free of sharp edges,corners or projections. The opening extends into the interior hollowportion of the tube wherein it communicates with the first end as wellas cooperatively with a cigarette installed in and received by the firstend. In the first manner of use of the device wherein the cigarette isinserted into the opening of the first end, the second end comprises amouthpiece for the smoker such that the outside surface and edges of thesecond end are smooth and suitable for such use.

To light a cigarette which has been inserted into the first end of thedevice, the smoker grasps the exterior of the device using his hand orlips, holds the mouthpiece of the second end in his mouth, inhalesgently through the device and hence through the cigarette while holdinga flame at the distal end of the cigarette such that the cigarettebecomes lit. The smoker then further inhales or puffs and enjoys thesmoke while conveniently holding the device in hand or by mouth only,through the first portion of the period in which the cigarette issmoked.

The periphery of the opening of the first end also generally seals thedevice around the cigarette such that when the smoker inhales there islittle if any bypassing of air around the cigarette; rathersubstantially all inhalation effort is utilized to generally smoke thesmokable material. Alternative embodiments may comprise features toallow bypassing of air around the cigarette if so desired by the smoker.Such bypassing could be controlled by the smoker.

Once the cigarette has been partially smoked it can be removed from thefirst end of the device, by the smoker. The cigarette may be lit orextinguished at this moment. It is noted that the by-products of thecombustion of the wrapper or smokable material of the cigarette tend tocause the folds and leaves of the wrapper to stick to each otheravoiding further unrolling. The smoker may desire to pinch thenon-combusted proximal end of the cigarette flat to avoid leakingsmokable material while still providing sufficient flow area for furthersmoking.

The device is then reversed such that the second end now becomes thecigarette holding end and the uncombusted tip of the partially smokedcigarette is inserted into the opening of that second end of the holder.The inside of the second end can be shaped as a funnel, either round,oval, oblong, or any shape such that it will accept a generallyflattened or rounded tip of the rolled wrapper and hold and engage thecigarette frictionally while substantially sealing it as desired. Inthis embodiment the opening in the second end is smaller than the firstend such that only the tip and a small portion of the cigarette needs tobe inserted before the cigarette is frictionally engaged and sealed toallow smoking. The cigarette is thus held with little intrusion into theopening of the holder such that most of the cigarette is exposed,allowing the preponderance of the full entirety of the smokable materialto eventually be smoked. The material of the opening of the second endis smooth and sufficiently rigid such that when the tip of the wrapperof the cigarette is inserted, the wrapper can be made to conform to fitthe inside of the funnel opening. In this manner the internal peripheryof the opening of the second end forms a seal with the externalperiphery of the tip of the wrapper to prevent undesired bypass of airaround smokable material inside the cigarette, as desired.

The smoker, following reversal of the holder, now uses the mouthpiece ofthe first end to engage the holder and can inhale, while re-lighting ifnecessary, the partially smoked cigarette as it is held conveniently andsafely away from the smoker's face. As during the first portion ofsmoking, the smoker can conveniently hold the device with his fingers orhis mouth only, with the cigarette secured therein, while the cigarettebecomes ever smaller as it is smoked. The second end of the device isshaped wherein it can hold a very small partially smoked cigarette suchthat nearly the full amount of smokable material can be smoked. As hasbeen noted, some tobacco or other smokable materials are quite expensivesuch that the desire of the smoker to smoke nearly the full entirety ofthe material can be realized with embodiments of this invention.

The mouthpiece of the first end of the device is thus used for thesecond portion of the smoking of the cigarette and the external edgesand surfaces of the first end are smooth and formed to allow aconvenient and pleasurable smoke.

The differences of embodiments of this invention over the prior art aresignificant. Whereas in the prior art cigarette holding devicesgenerally comprise a cigarette-holding, e.g. socket end and a mouthpieceend. The relevant features of the holding end are generally locatedinside of that end, since the outside of that end is generallynonfunctional. Conversely the relevant features of the mouthpiece endare generally located outside of that end wherein the inside of themouthpiece functions only to communicate smoke from the holding endwhere the cigarette is located.

By contrast, both the inside and outside of each end of embodiments ofthis invention may contain relevant features which function to furtherthe convenience of smoking and the art of the field. Both ends haveinterior features to receive and engage a cigarette, albeit differentlyfrom the opposite end. Both ends also have exterior features whichcomprise a mouthpiece. The mouthpieces may be simple or elaborate,identical or different.

Embodiments of this invention have benefits over other prior art that isintended to allow smoking of virtually all smokable material within thecigarette, such as a “roach clip”, disclosed previously. Someembodiments, without limitation, embrace the lack of the sharp pinchingjaws of the roach clip which can cause damage to the thin wrapper orinsecure holding. Further, embodiments of the present invention do notrequire the smoker to touch the partially smoked cigarette with theirlips which can cause poor taste in the mouth, burning of the lips from ahot small cigarette as well as damage to the wrapper from the smoker'ssaliva.

In addition, while using a roach clip, a small partially smokedextinguished cigarette must be held near to the smokers face to allowthe smoker to inhale gently while re-lighting the cigarette. Should thesmoker wish to light the partially smoked cigarette away from his face,the success of the lighting process is generally compromised. Whereasthe present embodiment of the invention allows the smoker to hold thepartially smoked cigarette conveniently within the device and away fromthe face, gently inhaling while lighting the cigarette in a much moreefficient and successful manner. This safer and more efficient lightingprocedure is obtained without sacrificing the convenience of easilyholding and passing the cigarette when it is desired to, for example,share its smoking with a partner.

Other benefits of embodiments of the invention include withoutlimitation a simple design which can be easily manufacturedinexpensively. For example the device could be made entirely of onepiece of metal tubing, with the ends formed as desired using commonlyavailable manufacturing methods.

The methods and apparatus of embodiments of the present invention can beapplicable to many types of smokable instruments including cigars andcigarettes of various styles and types. The features and advantages ofembodiments of the present invention are most readily understood whenpresented in the non-limiting context of hand-rolled cigarettescomprising the smokable material within a thin wrapper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing features of embodiments of the invention will be morereadily understood with reference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-rolled cigarette showing apartially-twisted end.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially-smoked cigarette showing aflattened end.

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of areversible cigarette holder.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodimentof a reversible cigarette holder.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of an exemplaryembodiment of a reversible cigarette holder with an unsmoked hand-rolledcigarette frictionally engaged and in position to be lit.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a reversible cigarette holder with apartially-smoked cigarette frictionally engaged and in position to belit by a smoker.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a reversible cigarette holder overwoundwith wrapping papers.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a reversible cigarette holder with anovermolded feature.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of a reversible cigarette holderwith a simple mouthpiece on one end and a more elaborate mouthpiece onthe other end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are embodiments of apparatus and methods for holding,lighting and smoking cigarettes.

Embodiments of the Apparatus

Referring first to FIG. 1, a typical hand-rolled cigarette 100 is shown.A paper wrapper is rolled around smokable material such as to encompassit within and avoid spillage or leakage of the material. As is commonwith inexperienced hand rollers, the ends of the cigarette are difficultto form perfectly such that often times the twisted ends comprisingfolds and layers tend to become partially untwisted such as the end 101shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2 a typical partially smoked cigarette 200 is shown.The partially smoked cigarette comprises a proximal end through whichsmoke is inhaled 201 and a distal, combusted end 202 generallycomprising ash, with the balance of the smokable material inside. It canbe seen that the folds and layers that were partially untwisted in, forexample, the end 101 of the unsmoked cigarette 100 of FIG. 1 have nowbecome bonded due to the ingress of sticky byproducts of combustionduring the smoking process.

It is noted, and illustrated in FIG. 2, that when smoking a cigarettesuch as one hand-rolled with a smokable material contained within a thinwrapper, the end toward the smoker, i.e. the uncombusted proximal end201, is sometimes made flat or oval-shaped. This is to generally providea channel for sufficient flow of air and smoke while preventing grainsof smokable material from leaking out of the cigarette, which isundesirable due to the high cost of some smokable materials. A round,cone shaped wrapper end with a sufficiently small opening may provideequivalent protection against leakage but with possibly less flow area.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a perspective illustration and alongitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present inventionare shown. The reversible cigarette holder 300 comprises a first end 301and a second end 302, both ends comprising openings in communicationwith each other through a tubular central passageway, as is seen in thesectional view of FIG. 4.

In some embodiments the opening in the first end 301 of the reversiblecigarette holding device 300 is generally round or conical and is sizedappropriately to receive and accept a first portion of the cigarette100. A cigarette which is hand-rolled with a wrapper is often notperfectly rolled and the folds and layers are not completely secured,wherein the wrapper is prone to untwisting at the end 101.

With embodiments of this invention, the wrapper of the end 101 can betwisted and then quickly guided and inserted into the opening in thefirst end 301 of the cigarette holding device 300 which will securelycapture the partially untwisting wrapper before it can untwist to theextent that smokable material leaks out. Generally as the cigarette 100is smoked, byproducts of the smoking process are released. Some of thesebyproducts are generally sticky in nature and act to bond folds andlayers of the wrapper to themselves within the invention, whereinfollowing the first portion of the smoking process the wrapper is nolonger prone to untwisting and the cigarette can be removed from thefirst end 301 without further untwisting or leakage. In this mannerembodiments of the invention serves to correct for the untwisting, whichis a solution for a common problem for novice or hurried cigaretterollers.

Additionally the mouthpiece 303 of the first end 301 has corners,surfaces, and edges which are substantially smooth, even and continuous,to allow a smoker to engage, seal his lips around and inhale through themouthpiece 303 of end 301 during certain other portions of the smokingprocess, wherein undesired air does not bypass the cigarette nor theholder, as desired. The mouthpiece 303 of end 301 may contain ridges,grooves, protrusions, knurling, or similar additional features to aid inits use.

The second end 302 of this embodiment comprises a generally taperedfunnel-like opening of a generally oval- or elliptical-shapedcross-section with generally smooth internal corners and surfaces toallow the end 302 to insertably receive, frictionally engage, and hold apartially smoked cigarette 200 without tearing or otherwise damaging it.Additionally the mouthpiece 304 of the second end 302 has corners,surfaces, and edges which are smooth, to allow a smoker to engage, sealhis lips around, and inhale through the mouthpiece 304 of end 302 duringcertain other portions of the smoking process, wherein undesired airdoes not bypass the cigarette nor the holder, as desired. The mouthpiece304 of end 302 may contain ridges, grooves, protrusions, knurling, orsimilar additional features to aid in its use.

Embodiments of the present invention, specifically the second end 302 ofthe embodiment, comprise interior structure wherein insertion of thecigarette into this end generally constrictingly urges and forms adesirable oval or flattened shape onto the end 201 of the partiallysmoked cigarette 200. Other embodiments may have a more conically-shapedfunnel opening. In addition, the constriction of the funnel is shapedsuch that the periphery of the inside surface of the opening, inconjunction with the external surface of the wrapper, seals thecigarette as desired to avoid allowing air to bypass the smokingmaterial and dilute the smoke or result in extinguishment of thecigarette or to allow it to become disengaged and fall, all of which aregenerally unfavorable to the smoker.

The opening may be tapered and the dimensions of the root 401 of theopening are sized such that sufficient friction and sealing of thepartially smoked cigarette 200 with the holder is achieved withoutcompletely constricting the end of the cigarette, which could block flowand prevent smoking. As such, the air and smoke flow can be maintainedby the smoker upon inhalation.

It is noted that untwisting of the ends of a cigarette can result in thesmokable material leaking out and becoming wasted. It is common for asmoker, when hand-rolling a cigarette, to twist the distal, to-be-lit,end of the cigarette 100 tightly to avoid any leaking during handling,transit or storage. This also seals the end from airflow but thisblockage is soon removed when that end is lit and combustion of thewrapper unseals the end and allows airflow ingress, combustion andsmoking.

Methods for Holding, Lighting, and Smokinga Cigarette Using theApparatus Acccording to Several Embodiments

The apparatus according to an embodiment as disclosed herein is used tohold, light, and smoke cigarettes especially cigarettes which arehand-rolled, or those constructed without a filter. FIG. 5 illustrates apartial cross-sectional view of an un-smoked cigarette 100 inserted andreceived by the cigarette holder 300. The cigarette 100 is firstly heldand the proximal first end 101 is grasped and any untwisted or unsecuredfolds or layers are twisted or secured longitudinally such that damageto them is prevented, and a continuous flow channel inside the cigarette100 is preserved, while the cigarette 100 is inserted into the first end301 and received by the apparatus 300. The cigarette 100 is then furtherinserted into the apparatus 300 until the circumferential surface of theinside of the holder 300 frictionally receives the outer circumferentialsurface of the cigarette 100.

FIG. 5 shows a generally cylindrical tubular construction of the holder300, in section, and a generally tapered elongated construction of thecigarette 100, frictionally engaged therein. Alternative embodiments maycomprise, for example without limitation, an inwardly taperedfunnel-shaped first end 301 to allow proper frictional reception ofcigarettes of different outside diameters. The holder 300 may further beused with a cigarette 100 comprising a cylindrical or tapered elongatedshape. Further, embodiments of the apparatus can be constructed ofvarious alternate sizes, such that an even larger range of cigarettesizes, shapes and cross sectional patterns can be accommodated.

FIG. 5 shows a holder 300 which is of elongated shape and generallycircular tubular cross-section.

Other cross sectional shapes may be utilized, for example withoutlimitation, octagonal, square, or the like. FIG. 5 further shows agenerally smooth central tubular chamber, though it may be desirable tohave projections protruding inwardly to further the security of thereception of the cigarette 100, or to arrest its reception at aparticular longitudinal location. Similarly, the cigarette 100 shown inFIG. 5 is generally circular in cross section, though other sectionalshapes may be utilized as desired.

Once the cigarette 100 is inserted into the holder 300 the smoker cancontrol, as desired, the extent to which the inside chamber of theholder 300 frictionally seals the outer circumferential surface of thecigarette by forcing the cigarette further into the chamber resulting ininterference and constriction of the circumferential surface of thecigarette, without damage to the wrapper of the cigarette 100. This stepalso controls the security of the holding of the cigarette within theholder such that extraneous external forces will not cause the cigaretteto fall out of the holder. This effect is further enhanced due to alarge portion of the length of the cigarette being encompassed withinthe holder such that the likelihood of the cigarette being bent orbroken at the position corresponding to the first end 301 of the holder300, resulting in the cigarette or a portion thereof falling from theholder is significantly reduced. The cigarette is now in a position tobe lit and smoked.

The smoker grasps the holder 300 and holds the second end 302 in hismouth for smoking. It is noted that the holder 300, being of generallyrigid construction, can be held securely solely by the smoker's lips orteeth without requiring the use of a hand. The distal end of thecigarette 100 can now be lit with a match, lighter, ember, candle or thelike. It is noted that for lighting with a lit candle or the like theuse of a hand is potentially not required at all. The cigarette 100 isnow received and secured inside the cigarette holder 300 and the smokercan enjoy the smoke.

Once the cigarette has been partially smoked, it may be desirable to thesmoker to attempt to smoke virtually the entirety of the smokablematerial within the cigarette, as the cost of some smokable materialscan be high. Further, to maintain cleanliness of the inside tubularpassageway within the holder 300 and prevent its contamination withsticky byproducts of the smoking process, it may be desirable topreclude the combustion of the smokable material from entering withinthe passageway. To accomplish this the smoker simply removes the nowpartially smoked cigarette 200 from the holder 300, reverses the holder300 end-for-end, and inserts the proximal end 201 of the partiallysmoked cigarette 200 into the opening of the second end 302. It is notedthat the partially smoked cigarette 200 may be extinguished or it mayremain lit during this portion of the procedure.

Similar to the step portrayed previously describing holding of anunsmoked cigarette 100, the smoker can control, as desired, the extentto which the inside surface of the second end 302 of the holder 300frictionally seals the outer circumferential surface of the proximal end201 of the partially smoked cigarette 200 by forcing the cigarettefurther into the reception area of the second end 302, resulting ininterference and constriction of the circumferential surface of thecigarette, without damage to the wrapper of the cigarette. This stepalso controls the security of the holding of the cigarette within theholder such that extraneous external forces will not cause the cigaretteto fall out of the holder. This effect is further enhanced due to theshorter length of the partially smoked cigarette 200 such that thelikelihood of it being bent or broken or falling from the holder 300 issignificantly reduced.

FIG. 3 shows a generally oval-shaped entrance to the second end 302 ofthe holder 300. Alternative embodiments could utilize analternatively-shaped entrance configuration such as circular,elliptical, square, trapezoidal, triangular, or other withoutlimitation, in conjunction with a partially smoked cigarette ofalternatively-shaped proximal end 201. In other embodiments the openingcould comprise a blending of one shape to another longitudinally withinthe opening. An embodiment could comprise an extended lower jaw foreasier insertion and more secure holding of the partially smokedcigarette. Some smokers may choose to roll a cigarette of such size thatonly the second end 302 is used to hold such cigarette in both unsmokedor partially smoked configurations.

FIG. 4 shows a generally funnel-shaped tubular construction of thesecond end 302 of the holder 300, in longitudinal cross section. Theentrance to the second end 302 is of sufficient size andappropriately-shaped such that the proximal end 201 of the partiallysmoked cigarette 200 is easily inserted therein. The size of the root401 of the funnel shaped opening, the root 401 being the longitudinalpoint of least transverse cross sectional area of the opening within thesecond end 302, is sufficiently small to allow frictional security ofthe reception of the partially smoked cigarette 200. The size of theroot 401 is also sufficiently large to allow the desired flow of smokeand air to communicate between the two ends of the holder 300.

The angular taper of the opening at the second end 302 between entranceand root 401 is small enough to afford sufficient friction for holdingthe received and inserted partially smoked cigarette 200. On the otherhand the angular taper is large enough to minimize the extent of thepartially smoked cigarette 200 which must be inserted to afford asufficient frictional seal between the inside surface of thefunnel-shaped opening in the end 302 and the proximal end 201 of thepartially smoked cigarette 200. It is noted that the partially smokedcigarette 200 is generally squeezably compliant radially and oftentapered conically between the proximal end 201 and the distal end 202.Further it was noted previously that the proximal end 201 can beflattened. The smoker can thus form the combination of the frictionalreception, circumferential seal and protrusion of the partially smokedcigarette 200 as desired.

Since the holding of the partially smoked cigarette 200 is of theproximal end 201 and not its body, this portion of the smoking processeasily accommodates cigarettes of different original outside diameters.Further, embodiments of the apparatus can be constructed of variousalternate sizes, such that an even larger range of cigarette sizes andshapes can be accommodated.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the smoker 601 grasps the holder 300 and nowholds the first end 301 in his mouth for smoking. It is again noted thatthe holder 300 can be held securely solely by the smoker's lips or teethwithout requiring the use of a hand. The distal end of the partiallysmoked cigarette 202 can now be re-lit, if required, with a match,lighter, ember, candle or the like. It is again noted that for lightingwith a lit candle or the like the use of a hand is potentially notrequired at all. The partially smoked cigarette 200 is now received andsecured inside the cigarette holder 300 and the smoker can enjoy thesmoke.

As shown in FIG. 6, the distal end 202 of the partially smoked cigarette200 is horizontally disposed and well removed from the position directlybelow the smoker's nose, and away from the smoker's lips. Hence a flamecan be held at or below the distal end 202 which is not in a position toburn or injure the nose or lips of the smoker 601.

Construction of Embodiments of the Apparatus

Embodiments of the device could be made in various sizes depending onthe desire of the smoker, the size of the wrapper, and the nature of thematerial to be smoked. Common sizes of cigarettes range from, forexample without limitation, at least about ⅛ of an inch diameter to 1inch or more in diameter for a large cigar. Noncircular cross sectionsof cigarettes could also be easily accommodated by embodiments of thedevice.

The basic embodiment of an elongated tube could be modified easily fordecorative or functional purposes. For example, the device could beconstructed of a tube with a partial arcuate shape.

Alternately, embodiments of the device could have one or more bends. Ashape with two symmetric and opposite bends, for example, may representa zigzag pattern, commonly desirable with some smokers. Such bends, inaddition to being decorative, also provide functions such as, forexample without limitation, prevention of rolling of the device on aflat surface.

The material of which embodiments of the apparatus is constructed couldbe one or more of many different types of metal, including for examplewithout limitation, brass, steel, aluminum, copper, titanium, silver, oreven gold as a special embodiment, and alloys or combinations thereof.The device could comprise many different types of finish treatments orcoatings or plating, or no finishing at all. Other materials, such asheat-resistant ceramic and glass and the like without limitation, andtheir relative manufacturing processes, may also be suitable to resistthe temperature of the smoking material and appeal to the smoker asmouthpiece or handhold.

Embodiments of such a device could be designed wherein features could beadded to protect the holder from breakage if dropped. Most all of thesematerials may additionally prove to be durable and long lastingfollowing the smoking of many cigarettes. Further, embodiments of theapparatus could be constructed from materials and thicknesses which maybe selected to construct a very inexpensive reversible cigarette holderwhich could presumably be discarded after only one or a few uses.

Contrarily the materials and their thickness and finish may be selectedto provide an attractive and long-lasting reversible cigarette holder.Additional details could be included in the design of the device forfunction or appearance. Such details could include without limitationknurling or other details to enhance the grip of the device by the user.Embodiments of the device could be cast, 3-D printed, or otherwiseconstructed wherein both the function and appearance are built-in.

An advantage of embodiments constructed from hard materials is that,during smoking when an ash is produced at the distal end of thecigarette, a generally small tap of the holder against a hard ashtrayresults in a high g-force within the device which tends to part the ashfrom the tip of the cigarette more easily than, say, a soft cigaretteholder tapping on a resilient surface.

Should it be desirable to clean the device after use it may beadvantageous to select materials and/or finish treatments which arenonstick and/or resistant to any suitable cleaning compound. The basicembodiment allows cleaning of the internal surfaces with a standard pipecleaner or q-tip and suitable solvent such as, without limitation,alcohol, or possibly no solvent at all. Other shapes could be designedto keep or enhance this feature. The root 401 of the funnel of thesecond end 302 can be made sufficiently large to allow a pipe cleaner topass through it without affecting the performance of the device aspreviously disclosed. The basic embodiment further allows similar easycleaning of the external surfaces such as, for example, before or aftersharing the device and smoke with a fellow smoker.

Additional features which could be added to embodiments of the deviceinclude without limitation aspects to enhance the ease of using, holdingor passing the device such as an external protrusion to act as a handle,a hole in such protrusion suitable for securing the device in a keychainor necklace, a protrusion such as a “kick stand” to form a tripod orotherwise act to prevent the lit end of the cigarette from touching asurface upon which it is placed, a protrusion shaped as a ring fingerholder, a clip or opening in a protrusion designed to attach a cigarettelighter or one of many other functional features. FIG. 7 shows anexemplary embodiment wherein an unused wrapping paper 701 comprisesperforations 702 allowing it to be detached from a storage roll 703 ofadditional wrapping papers rolled around the device for convenientstorage.

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration showing an embodiment of thepresent invention comprising the reversible cigarette holder 300overmolded or otherwise adorned with, for example without limitation, athumb tab 801 for convenient gripping of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of a reversible cigarette holderwith an elaborate mouthpiece 901 on one end and a simpler mouthpiece 303on the other end. The elaborate mouthpiece could be overmolded, cast,spun, formed, or otherwise manufactured into the holder. In someembodiments the mouthpiece could be made to slide from one end to theother such that a single mouthpiece could function at either end. Thesimpler mouthpiece could be as simple as that of a drinking straw, wherethe outside surface and edges are smooth and allow the smoker to sealhis lips on it as desired.

The material of such an overmolded or otherwise adorned mouthpiece orfeature may comprise plastic, rubber, glass, paper, ceramic, or one ormore of many other materials, or the like. Embodiments of such a devicecould be designed wherein such feature is not exposed to the hightemperatures of combustion, furthering the range of material selection.

Details to enhance the appearance of the device could include withoutlimitation attractive paint or other finish material, attractivelabeling, or many other decorative artistic features to improve theattractiveness of the device.

These details, whether for function or appearance, could be standardizedand mass-produced economically as part of the manufacturing process.Contrarily, these details could be customized for one or more smokers.Customization processes including without limitation 3-D printing couldbe employed to manufacture the device alone, the device with additionaldetails, or just the additional features, for subsequent assembly.

Another benefit of embodiments of the present invention is that thesmoke may become cooled during the period that it is inside of thedevice prior to inhalation by the smoker's mouth. Such cooling may bedesirable to the smoker. Further, such cooling may allow thecondensation or separation of undesirable byproducts of the smokingprocess, such as tar-like substances. Such substances may condense onthe interior walls of the device where they can be later cleaned insteadof being imbibed into the smoker's mouth. Further, such cooling may becontrolled by the length, diameter or other size of the chamber or ofthe device or through the use of fins, materials having thermalconductivity and/or specific heat as desired such as metal or ceramic,or other features which control the amount of heat dissipated duringthat duration of the smoking process. Such fins or features may belocated internal to the device or externally.

A further embodiment of the device comprises a separate mouthpiececomprising a socket in which either end of the reversible cigaretteholder is inserted, such that this embodiment does not require thesmoker to touch the cigarette-holding portion of the device to his lips.An embodiment such as this may be desirable when sharing the smoke.

Further embodiments may comprise elements for holding a cigarettelighter or for storage within elements of a cigarette lighter. Yetfurther embodiments may comprise an element such as a wire clip whichmay have multiple positions such that it is useful for storing thelighter and/or wrappers, flexibly clipping on to an external edge orsurface for storage, or holding the cigarette in a position to avoidcontact with other surfaces. Such an embodiment may comprise elementswhich allow it to be folded for storage.

Further embodiments may comprise an accumulation chamber within thecentral tubular passageway of the device of sufficient size to store adesired volume of smoke. This accumulation chamber may comprise a smallhole which can be covered or uncovered by a finger functioning as avalve to allow unsmoked air to be drawn into the chamber and evacuatethe smoke to the smoker upon inhalation. Still further embodiments maycomprise an additional chamber or other means in communication with thecentral tubular passageway of the device wherein substances intended toprovide flavoring, stimulation, or some other desired effect can belocated and controllably inserted into the smoke stream. A valve orsimilar means of control could be utilized between this chamber and thecentral tubular passageway.

Still further embodiments may comprise a mechanism to controllably ejectthe cigarette before, during or after partial smoking. Such a mechanismmay further comprise means for retracting points or barbs inside thefirst end 301 of the device 300, such that these points or barbs areretracted at which time the cigarette can then be ejected.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the invention (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No languagein the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. It isanticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, ordeleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemedto contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written descriptionof all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Ofcourse, variations on these described embodiments will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ suchvariations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention tobe practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly,this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Furthermore, numerous references have been made to patents and printedpublications throughout this specification. Each of the above-citedreferences and printed publications are individually incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order tobest explain the present invention and its practical application and tothereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the foregoing description and examples have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forthis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit andscope of the forthcoming claims.

I claim:
 1. A cigarette holder comprising an extended tube comprising afirst end comprising a first opening receptive to frictionally engaginga first portion of a cigarette and a second end comprising a secondopening receptive to frictionally engaging a smaller portion of thecigarette, said ends being in communication through a centralpassageway.
 2. The cigarette holder as described in claim 1, furthercomprising a first mouthpiece on the first end and a second mouthpieceon the second end, wherein the mouthpieces are configured to allow auser to smoke the cigarette while the cigarette is frictionally engagedin the opposite end.
 3. The cigarette holder as described in claim 2wherein the surfaces and edges of the mouthpieces are smooth.
 4. Thecigarette holder as described in claim 2 further configured to coolsmoke from the cigarette prior to inhalation by the smoker.
 5. Thecigarette holder as described in claim 1 wherein at least one of theends of the tube is composed of a material selected from the groupconsisting of metals, glass, and ceramics.
 6. The cigarette holder asdescribed in claim 1, wherein said first and second ends are configuredto allow a smoker's lips to engage and seal around at least one of saidends to allow smoking of the cigarette.
 7. The cigarette holder asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the shape of the entrance to the secondopening is selected from the group consisting of oval, circular,elliptical, square, trapezoidal, and triangular.
 8. The cigarette holderas described in claim 1 wherein at least one of the openings comprises afunnel-shaped portion.
 9. A cigarette holder comprising an extended tubecomprising a first end and a second end, each end comprising an openingand a mouthpiece, said ends being in communication with each otherthrough a central passageway of the tube, wherein the opening of thesecond end is smaller than the opening of the first end.
 10. Thecigarette holder as described in claim 9 wherein at least one opening isfunnel-shaped.
 11. The cigarette holder as described in claim 9 whereinedges and corners of the first and second ends are smooth.
 12. A methodfor smoking a cigarette comprising the steps of: a.) Inserting a firstend of the cigarette into a first end of a cigarette holder a firstdistance; b.) Lighting the end of the cigarette opposite the first endof the cigarette and smoking a first portion of the cigarette via afirst mouthpiece on the end of the holder opposite the first end of theholder; c.) Removing the cigarette from the holder; d.) Reversing theholder and inserting the first end of the cigarette into the end of theholder opposite the first end of the holder a second distance; and e.)Smoking a desired portion of the remainder of the cigarette via a secondmouthpiece on the first end of the holder; wherein the second distanceis less than the first distance.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein theexterior of the first end of the holder is round and the firstmouthpiece comprises the exterior of the first end.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the steps of inserting are effective to substantiallyseal the cigarette within the holder.
 15. The method of claim 12 whereinat least one of the first end and the opposite end of the cigaretteholder is composed of a material selected from the group consisting ofmetals, glass, and ceramics.
 16. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising at least one step of inserting the cigarette holder into themouth of the smoker and holding the holder therein without the use ofthe smoker's hands.